Ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus, resulting in fatalities and missing persons

At least eight people have died and more than a dozen others are still missing after a passenger boat capsized off northern Cyprus, according to Ünal Üstel, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The ferry was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it began taking on water after departing from the coastal town of Kyrenia. The ship's captain and seven crew members have been detained as part of an investigation into the incident. A search and rescue operation is currently underway, involving Turkish authorities. The ferry left Kyrenia at approximately 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT) and was scheduled to travel to Turkey on Saturday but was delayed due to poor weather conditions. Üstel reported that the boat was struck by two waves before capsizing. While attempting to recover from the first wave, a second wave hit, causing the vessel to take on water. Helicopters and coastguard boats have been dispatched to the scene, and ambulances are on standby at the beach. Üstel emphasized that the priority is human life and that a thorough investigation will be conducted to uncover any negligence. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences to Turkish Cypriots and stated that search efforts for the missing individuals are ongoing. Erhan Arikli, the transport minister of the TRNC, indicated that 100 passengers had been rescued. Mustafa Koc, who helped save around 65 people, criticized the crew for departing in unsafe conditions. The ferry, a high-speed 40m long, 10m wide vessel named Filo Jet, is registered under the Turkish flag. On Sunday evening, Arikli confirmed that the ship had completely sunk. The operating company, Filo Denizcilik, expressed sorrow over the incident and a hotline has been established for relatives of passengers. The nationalities of those aboard and the status of the injured remain unclear. Local media have broadcast images of the capsized ferry with individuals wearing life vests on its hull. The TRNC controls the northern third of Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974.